In states across the country, Republicans have enacted discriminatory photo ID laws, cut back early voting, eliminated polling locations and done everything they can think of to make it harder for people to vote.

It’s time to reverse the tide and make it easier to vote – not harder. Rep. Robert Brady of Pennsylvania recently introduced the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016, which would expand automatic voter registration nationwide by requiring states to automatically and securely register people eligible to vote when they interact with certain state and federal agencies. Everyone would have the chance to opt out, and no one would be registered against their will.

The Automatic Voter Registration Act would create a pathway to voting for up to 50 million new voters, dramatically increasing participation and registration rates, while reducing errors and costs – but it won’t gain traction in Congress without grassroots support.

Tell Congress: Pass the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016.

When voter participation rates are low, the electorate is skewed toward conservatives. Making it easier for all eligible Americans to register and vote will help level the playing field in elections and could lead to a more progressive and representative government, as well as more desirable outcomes on legislative matters.

Courts in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Kansas have recently blocked Republican efforts to make it harder to vote. Now we have the opportunity to go on offense and strengthen our democracy by making it easier for people to register and vote. Rather than just stopping bad laws, we must enact good ones that increase participation rates so voters can be more involved participants in the democratic process.

Last year in California, thousands of CREDO members signed petitions and hundreds more made phone calls to help pass an automatic voter registration law at the state level. Other states – including Oregon, West Virginia, Vermont and New Jersey – have also recently passed automatic voter registration laws.

Now it is time to pass the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016 and eliminate many of the barriers that make it harder for Americans to participate in the democratic process.